Mel's charity campaign

Spice Girl Mel C is to become a patron of The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation in a bid to reach young smokers.

Melanie Chisholm, also known as Sporty Spice, was invited to take on the role after giving her support to fund-raising campaigns.

She said: "My family has been touched by cancer and therefore I realise the work done by the foundation and other cancer charities is so very important."

Professor Ray Donnelly, founder of the charity said: "Melanie has always felt passionately about the dangers of smoking and sends out a very powerful message to children and young people not to smoke."

Entertainer and television presenter Roy Castle was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1992.

Although he was a non-smoker he believed the disease may have been triggered by passive smoking when he used to spend nights playing his trumpet on the club circuit.

He dedicated the last year of his life to promoting the work of the charity to which he gave his name.

Mel said: "I think it's important to teach youngsters the perils of smoking and if I can help get this message across, then I am only too pleased to do so.

"In particular, the Roy Castle Foundation not only tries to find a cure for lung cancer but also gives help to those suffering.

"They offer support, guidance and a feeling of hope to the victims and the families of this terrible disease."